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Red Maples Haven't Leafed Out? (IL)

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From: Jacque Huddleston City: Taylorville, IL
My husband planted about 15 red maple trees down our lane a couple of months ago. The trees did not have any leaves or blooms at the time they were planted. After two months, there still is NO sin of leaves or blooms, just bare sticks. Is this normal?
	Extension Message From: Jay Hayek Extension Specialist, Forestry Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences jhayek@illinois.edu
Hi Jacque: Are the branches and twigs brittle, i.e., do they snap in half because they are dead? Fingernail Scratch Test - scratch through the bark of several twigs, larger branches, and the main stem: if the scratch reveals greenish white tissue -- the tree is still alive. If the scratch reveals hard, tannish tissue, that twig or branch is likely dead. Transplanting shock is possible; however, your red maples should have leafed out by now...
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